Half of those questioned this spring said the amount they paid in taxes was "about right," compared to 45% in October 1997, according to the survey results. Meanwhile, 43% said they paid "more than their fair share" of taxes, down from 53% more than a decade earlier.

"Despite all the animosity aimed at the nation's capital, one usual political punching bag is actually not seen as villainous as it once was: taxes," Pew's Richard Auxier wrote in a statement Monday.

Overall, Democrats were more content with their tax payments than Republicans, although the percentage of people who changed their attitudes about tax levels over the past 13 years was about the same for both political parties, according to the poll.

The public's attitude toward taxes has improved despite the fact that fewer people are "content" with the job being done in Washington, with support for congressional incumbents at a historical low, Pew Research said.

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puzzleguy1

If people would take the time to do some research and backtrack all the way to immediate post WW-2 and then read forward, they would discover that for the past 30 years, our taxes, including for the rich, are at historically LOW levels. What is more, that even included the 8 yrs. when Clinton raised them on the rich. Even then, that group was paying less than they did during Ike's tenure. All this complaining about present taxes is of a piece with the conservative game plan to discredit Obama as a socialist who is re-distributing wealth. No one has re-distributed wealth to the extent that Reagan and GW Bush did, and as a result, disposable income of the middle class, the largest group of consumers, flat-lined.

Puzzle guy what research are you speaking of, top marginal rates? While granted the top marginial rates have decreased, what you are missing in your analysis are the number of deduction, and inflation. for eaxmple the top marginal rate in 1971 was 60 after 200K. In todays dollars that would be 1.047 million. Total number of taxpayer with 1 million income today is 315K. In reverse order those making 200K today would have a income level of 38 K in 1971. Now factor in deductions and credits brings that 38k in total income down to around 21k and a tax rate of 22%. or just over 4 grand. Adjust the 4K for inflation brings it 21K. Now take 200K in 2009 and apply the todays tax rate or 32.4 K or 11K more than in 1971 corrected to todays dollars. So I think I have proven that today we are paying more in taxes than at any time in the past.

You anti-tax anti-government idedologues should look around the globe to see what countries that practice your kind economic policies look like. I might point out places like Somolia, Haiti and Afghanistan.

if people would receive their full paycheck with no deductions and THEN write a check to the feds, state, and local, the outcome of the survey would be much different. Being self employed has made me aware of percent of taxes paid, approx 43 percent. Maybe only people who pay no taxes were surveyed!?!??!

This is ridculous. With the HUGE waste in goverment spending that is well documented, yet never addressed this article is "spin" from the whitehouse. No person in their right mind could never agree what they are charged for taxes is fair.

I understand that a majority thinks that taxes are fair. I know everyone that doesn't pay taxes thinks there fair. That is what makes it not fair. Many people pay no taxes while some pay 48% of what they make. Wow, how could anybody think thats fair is beyond me.

I understand that a majority thinks that taxes are fair. I know everyone that doesn't pay taxes thinks there fair. That is what makes it not fair. Many people pay no taxes while some pay 48% of what they make. Wow, how could anybody think thats fair is beyond me.

I understand that a majority thinks that taxes are fair. I know everyone that doesn't pay taxes thinks there fair. That is what makes it not fair. Many people pay no taxes while some pay 48% of what they make. Wow, how could anybody think thats fair is beyond me.